20 November - Universal Children's Day

 Universal Children's Day
           20 November

By resolution 836(IX) of 14 December 1954, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN),  recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world. The Assembly suggested to governments that the Day be observed on the date and in the way which each considers appropriate. The date 20 November, marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child*, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

In 2000 world leaders outlined the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)* – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015. Though the Goals are for all humankind, they are primarily about children. UNICEF notes that six of the eight goals relate directly to children and meeting the last two will also make critical improvements in their lives.

In 2012, the Secretary-General launched a new initiative Education First. The Initiative aims to raise the political profile of education, strengthen the global movement to achieve quality education and generate additional and sufficient funding through sustained advocacy efforts. Achieving gains in education will have an impact on all the Millennium Development Goals, from lower child and maternal mortality, to better health, higher income and more environmentally-friendly societies.

* Find here:

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child (The complete official text) 
The Declaration of the Rights of the Child (A simplified version)

*The 8 Millennium Development Goals:

• End Poverty and Hunger
• Universal Education
• Gender Equality
• Child Health
• Maternal Health
• Combat HIV/AIDS
• Environmental Sustainability
• Global Partnership
  

UNICEF: The importance of eliminating malnutrition

There has been significant progress, such as reducing infant mortality by 41%. However, 19,000 children still die daily from causes that can be avoided. 6,400 of them die from causes related to malnutrition.180 million children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition, which can cause irreversible damage to them in their development and 20 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, which puts them at risk of death if they do not receive attention.
Ending infant malnutrition is vital to meet most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In addition, investment in nutrition is one of the most profitable that can be done, as it can accelerate economic growth and help millions of people out of poverty.

Source: United Nations - Unicef - Google Images